There are actual studies done of ransom situations and the guidelines behind how much and when are based on data- not what people “think” sounds right.
Too generous a reward generates thousands upon thousands of fake leads- and pursuing those takes time away from the actual investigation. Too much money early in the search generates copycats. Etc. And too generous a reward AND too much money can lead to a victim who could have been alive but who never made it to the transfer spot. Or a dead law enforcement officer.
The reward offer of just $50,000 produced “thousands upon thousands of fake leads”–none of which have proven fruitful to date.
Sorry, but I do not understand your thoughts expressed above.
The reality is that the investigation has yielded no meaningful results, yet wasted substantial public resources on one alleged victim when there are more than 26,000 missing persons in the USA.
I agree that the amount of time, money and energy expended on this case seems absurd given how many people go missing without even a cursory effort.
What I disagree with is your contention that because the family has money, they should have come forward with a bigger reward earlier.
Law Enforcement uses data to determine the timing and amount of a reward– balanced against whatever private communications have resulted in a ransom request, proof of life, etc. Your suggestion that rich people should offer bigger rewards encourages people like the John Paul Getty III kidnappers (he only lost an ear, not his life).
Many do not fully understand rewards in criminal matters. The reward amount is typically stated with a few qualifiers including the words “up to”. Even though a certain amount is offered as a possible total reward, a tipster/informant may receive just a small fraction of that amount or nothing at all even though the information proves to be accurate and useful. Additionally, most fail to realize that they can be compelled to give statements under oath including testimony in a public forum.
Yesterday, Savannah Guthrie stated that she wanted to offer a reward of up to one million dollars from the beginning, but was advised against such action by law enforcement.
Seriously, though, some guy from Milwaukee put up $100k of his own money a week ago. How did Savannah feel about that?